Pubdate: Sun, 09 Nov 2003
Source: The Sunday Times (Western Australia)
Contact:  http://www.news.com.au
Author: Ben Taylor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CANNABIS LINKED TO SUICIDES

Britain's most senior coroner has issued a stark warning that many
young people are dying because of prolonged use of cannabis.

Hamish Turner, president of the Coroners' Society, believes the drug
is behind many deaths that have been recorded as accidents or suicides.

During the past year, he claims, up to one in 10 of the 100 deaths he
has dealt with have a significant link to the drug.

Mr Turner's grim analysis came days after MPs voted for plans to
reclassify cannabis as a Class C drug.

The New Year law change means police will be able to arrest users only
if there are "aggravating circumstances".

Rank-and-file police leaders have admittted their memebers remain
confused about exactly how the law will be interpreted.

This week police also warned that Britain was being targeted by gangs
smuggling high-strength cannabis from Africa, leading to a massive
influx of the drug.

Officers at the National Criminal Intelligence Service fear the UK is
being targeted by smugglers from South Africa, where high-quality
"skunk" cannabis can be bought for just $A50 a kilogram.

In Britain, it has a street value of $A8000 a kilogram.

Mr Turner's experiences as a coroner in South Devon will be seized on
by opponents of liberalisation.

He says youngsters are falling foul of stronger and more potent
varieties of cannabis which are up to 10 times stronger than in the
past.

"Cannabis is as dangerous as any other drug and people must understand
that it kills," he said.

"From my long experience I can say that it is a very dangerous
substance.

"Incresingly it is mentioned not only as the first drug taken by
people who overdose, but also in suicides and accidental deaths.

"It is an awful waste of young lives."
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